Is there a disconnect here? Since effective contraception lessens the number of unwanted pregnancies, and thus the number of abortions? Well, yes. But the people playing the Personhood Game simply have their eye on the prize: Fertilized egg wins, woman loses.

The bishops descended. We preached the wonders of St. Mary's. They nodded benevolently. We admired their jeweled pectoral crosses, they our enthusiasm. Some conversed in close proximity with their hands on our elbows or biceps.

The hunger fast for a moral budget has gone spiritually viral. Ten days ago, we announced that the budget debate had become a moral crisis. We now have more than 30,000 participants and are still growing.

In interviews Wednesday, Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) revealed a great deal about himself, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, politics and the internal workings of our "pro-choice" Democratic party.